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Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Rama, Hare Hare! In the sixties, these chants
of Hari Bhakti were sweeping across the Western Hemisphere spreading the word of
Krishna. And now, well into the 21st century, although the movement may have ebbed
a bit, yet it has secured its share of the devout in the form of the new Hindu.
With the rising interest in the west about India and all things Indian, including
its sometimes-confusing-sometimes-intriguing-never-fully-comprehending-religion
Hinduism, Krishna still remains the focal point of reference. In this context it
becomes not only significant, but also totally imperative to explore the truth behind
Krishna and unravel the mysteries surrounding this one-of-the-favourite and alluring
deities of the Hindus.
Cult of Krishna
 Krishna
is the most significant avatar (reincarnation) of Lord Vishnu, one of the trinity
of the Hindu pantheon - the other two being Brahma and Shiva. He was born to Vasudev
and Devaki, who had been imprisoned by Devaki's brother, the evil King Kansa. This
was because seers had predicted that the Devaki's child would slay Kansa. Krishna
was Devaki's eighth-born, all the others having been killed by Kansa the day they
were born. However, miraculously Vasudev managed to save this son of his and on
the day of his birth somehow transported him to his friend Nandlal's house in a
village in Vrindavan. Here Krishna grew up amongst the cowherds and was looked after
by Nand and his wife Yashoda as their own.
As a child Krishna was the naughtiest and most mischievous kid in the whole village.
His childhood and teenage years were spent amongst the cowherds and village belles,
also called gopis, for whom Krishna was the supreme mate. Their love for him bordered
on worship and they all took him to be their eternal partner. When Krishna came
of age, he killed his uncle King Kansa and installed his grandfather Ugarasen on
the throne and became a prince himself, who was known to be a just ruler. He was
well aware of the intrigues royal life thrusts upon one and made full use of the
double-speak of diplomacy and politics. On the war field, Krishna was the one who
inspired the Pandav prince Arjun, his cousin, to fight against his other cousins
the Kauravas for what was right. These inspirational words are enshrined in the
Holy Gita and are considered to be one of the world's most profound philosophies.
Janamashtami
So popular is the figure of Krishna in India that his day of birth is celebrated
as a birthday of one's own family members with reverence and love in equal measure.
It rivals Christmas in its magnitude and is one of the most auspicious Hindu festivals.
Krishna was born on a rainy night at the stroke of 12 and his birthday is celebrated
all across India as well as amongst Hindus overseas as Janamashtami or Gokulashtami.
Janam means birth and ashtami is the eight day in the Hindu calendar. He was born
on the eight day in the Hindu month of Shravan (which falls in July-August according
to the Christian calendar).
In different parts of India, this festival is associated with various nuances. In
the northern part of the country as well as in Bengal, in the east, people install
miniature idols of baby Krishna in the cradle and everyone swings the cradle singing
bhajans (hymns) to Krishna as they do so. Some people also set up jhankis (tableaux)
of a miniature village made of clay to show Nandgaon, the village where he grew
up, something quite similar to what is done during Christmas.
Many people observe a day long fast on this day, which they break at midnight. Also,
all across the nation people visit temples devoted to Krishna, which are especially
lit and decorated on this day. The temples are abuzz with activity throughout the
day and people are specially called for to sing devotional songs to mark the occasion.
And just like the home tableaux, cradles with small idols of Krishna are also established
in the temples, where everyone present take their turns to rock the crib.
In temples, including the ones run by ISKCON (International Society for Krishna
Consciousness) throughout the world, lavish ceremonies are held to mark the occasion.
The idol of Krishna is ceremonially bathed with a mixture of honey, milk, curd,
dry fruits and tulsi (basil) leaves. The same mixture is later distributed as prasad
(sweets offered as the blessings of the lord). The idol is also dressed in new clothes
and is offered fruits and sweets and diyas (lamps) are lit with shudh ghee (clarified
butter).
At exactly midnight, a special aarti (a hymn sung to the Gods to ask for blessings.
The process of doing the same is lighting a lamp and chanting the aarti while holding
the lamp) is conducted and temple bells are rung to announce the birth of the Lord.
In Mathura, the city of his birth and Vrindavan, where he grew up, (both these towns
are in the North Indian state of Uttar Pradesh) several plays are staged on this
day where incidents from Krishna's life are enacted amongst a gathering of people.
These two cities become a major pilgrimage centre too during this festive season,
where a huge number of people head to participate in the festivities. Celebratory
programmes including the Rasleela, a form of dance, are organised on this day where
young boys and girls gather to dance to the glory of the Lord.
Govinda Aala Re!
In the western part of India, the day is also marked by the breaking of handis (pots)
containing butter and curd, which are hung at great heights suspended with ropes
between buildings of a locality or across the city square. In fact, in most parts
of Maharashtra, including its capital city of Mumbai, handi-breaking competitions
takes place between people from various localities. Young boys organise themselves
in a pyramidal structure, amidst chants of Aala Re Aala, Govinda Aala (rejoice,
for Govinda is coming!) and the most nimble of foot climbs this human pyramid and
breaks the suspended handi. The genesis of this practice perhaps traces its roots
to Krishna (or Govinda as he is also known) himself, who was so fond of butter that
he would steal the butter out of the pot, no matter where his mother would hide
it.
 The
city of Dwarka, located on the western tip of Gujarat, houses the famous 16th century
temple of Dwarakadhish. On the day of Janamashtami, people throng to this temple
in droves to pay their respects to the resident God. Krishna originally established
Dwarka as his new capital. However, the old Dwarka now lies submerged under the
sea, off the coast of Kutch in Gujarat, not far from where the present Dwarka is
situated.
In the South too, particularly in Guruvayur, the idol of Krishna is worshipped by
the devout on this day. According to legend, it was here that the idol of Krishna
was installed after Dwarka submerged under the sea.
The birthday festivities end with the chanting of Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna when
people finally retire to their homes, happy in the knowledge that the Lord is there
to protect and guide them in their journey through life.
And so this timeless saga of this dark-skinned, flute playing, yellow clad, crowned
with a peacock plume, darling prince of the masses continues in people's hearts
and conscience.
- Vandana Mohal Dewan
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